The story of Britain's invasion of Russia at the end of the First World War has remained largely untold. Although not its initial architect, its chief advocate, was the passionately anti-Bolshevik, Winston Churchill. "Churchill's Crusade" is the first complete account of a unique military operation - one which, if it had succeeded, would have changed the history of Russia, Europe and the World.
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Review
Mentioned in Contemporary Review, 2008.
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
About the Author
GEOFFREY BEST is the author of Churchill: a Study in Greatness, Mid-Victorian Britain, Humanity in Warfare and War and Law since 1945.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
It's hard to believe that no one has reviewed this book here since it was first published in 2006. This is a major achievement that tells a little-remembered chapter in British history when just after the end of the First World War, Winston Churchill tried to use British forces to "strangle Bolshevism in its cradle".
Kinvig, a retired Major General, has done a tremendous amount of research to tell the sorry story from start to finish. It emerges that Churchill attempted to do too much with too little while obviously lacking the necessary political backing. After the Armistice, people were exhausted from warfare. Churchill also lacked a proper understanding of the situation in war-weary and revolutionary Russia. The results of his efforts were counter-productive.
Bolshevism proved to be the great evil that Churchill forsaw, but after the First World War all the Russian people could see was the disaster that the incompetence, corruption and callousness of the tsarist regime bequeathed. In a solid and detailed narrative, Kinvig shows how the crusade was doomed from the start.
Kinvig, a retired Major General, has done a tremendous amount of research to tell the sorry story from start to finish. It emerges that Churchill attempted to do too much with too little while obviously lacking the necessary political backing. After the Armistice, people were exhausted from warfare. Churchill also lacked a proper understanding of the situation in war-weary and revolutionary Russia. The results of his efforts were counter-productive.
Bolshevism proved to be the great evil that Churchill forsaw, but after the First World War all the Russian people could see was the disaster that the incompetence, corruption and callousness of the tsarist regime bequeathed. In a solid and detailed narrative, Kinvig shows how the crusade was doomed from the start.
2 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Dr B Clayton
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
I am amazed at the flattering reviews above. This is third-rate history lacking substantial research. I found nothing new in this unbalanced account. I suppose this is not surprising given that Kinvig is not an historian but a retired officer who spent most of his career in the Royal Army Educational Corps, a Corps not notable for its intellectual rigor.
The bibliography is very light on foreign texts that are essential for any study of this incident but then Kinvig is not a linguist able to read Russian and Czechoslovakian works. Regrettably, he seems even unaware of their existence.
His previous book, a poor account of the Kwai railway, should have warned readers of what to expect.
The bibliography is very light on foreign texts that are essential for any study of this incident but then Kinvig is not a linguist able to read Russian and Czechoslovakian works. Regrettably, he seems even unaware of their existence.
His previous book, a poor account of the Kwai railway, should have warned readers of what to expect.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.2 out of 5 stars
4 reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good work on an important episode
27 Dec 2007
By Newton Ooi
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
Some of the most important episodes in history are those that are unknown to all but a few. An example of this is the foreign intervention in Russia during the latter's civil war at the end of WWI. A whole host of countries and organizations actively opposed the rise of the Bolsheviks in Russia, and many of them sent troops to actively fight the Red Army. These countries included the US and England; the latter behind the insistence of Winston Churchill. Though their intervention came to nought; in its wake was a permanent distrust of foreigners in general, and the West in particular, by Russia for the rest of the 20th century. This book is one of the few modern publications to explore the history of this episode from beginning to end. Major and minor characters, both in smoky halls of public office and smoky ruins of battlefields, are brought forth. Intentions are laid out as the author revisits old documents; many of them available only in certain archives. Though involving many, the book justifies its title as it was Winston Churchill who really pushed military intervention in Russia; to the point of costing him his seat in parliament and sending him into the political exile for over a decade.
The book moves at a brisk pace, and is structured as an extensive piece of journalistic work. There is little commentary; hence the text comes across as objective. There are also numerous references to other books on this episode; another plus. Altogether, a good book on an important topic.
The book moves at a brisk pace, and is structured as an extensive piece of journalistic work. There is little commentary; hence the text comes across as objective. There are also numerous references to other books on this episode; another plus. Altogether, a good book on an important topic.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Book for today's times
11 Oct 2010
By Mark E. Hall
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
Overall, an interesting book on the Allied intervention in the Russian Revolution during and after World War I. This book is very much a political history that focuses primarily on the British and Commonwealth involvement. Only brief mention of the more exciting escapades that occurred in this campaign such as Robin Bruce Lockhart's exploits, or Agar's sinking of the Oleg. I'll also warn you, since it focuses heavily on the political side of events, it is a dry book. The author also downplays the American and French contributions to this campaign.
The main impression one walks away with after reading this book, is that other than Winston Churchill and perhaps General Ironsides, no one had a clear goal as to what would be achieved by intervening in the Russian Revolution. A clear-cut case of a campaign that failed due to the absence of clear-cut, achievable goals.
The main impression one walks away with after reading this book, is that other than Winston Churchill and perhaps General Ironsides, no one had a clear goal as to what would be achieved by intervening in the Russian Revolution. A clear-cut case of a campaign that failed due to the absence of clear-cut, achievable goals.
8 of 10 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
An impoortant contribution
3 Nov 2008
By Seth J. Frantzman
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
Churchill managed to be at the cneter of events throughout his life. He was a central figure in numerous, now seemingly minor, endeavors that had a lasting impact such as Churchill's Folly: How Winston Churchill Created Modern Iraq. This book examines his role and the story of the British intervention against the Bolsheviks in 1920.
The British intervention was part of an international intervention in Russia against the rise of Communism. This saw the deployment of French troops, Greeks in the Crimia, Americans and Japanese in Siberia and other nationalities elsewhere. The British intervened in northern Russia near the Arctic circle, particularly around Archangel where they sought to protect an allied supply depot. The intervention began in August of 1918 and lasted until March of 1920. Some 6,000 British troops and another 6,000-10,000 allied troops participated in the north Russia campaign. Around 600 were killed in action.
This is a fascinating story and one that deserves more attention. This is a good start, a well written popular account of the conflict.
Seth J. Frantzman
The British intervention was part of an international intervention in Russia against the rise of Communism. This saw the deployment of French troops, Greeks in the Crimia, Americans and Japanese in Siberia and other nationalities elsewhere. The British intervened in northern Russia near the Arctic circle, particularly around Archangel where they sought to protect an allied supply depot. The intervention began in August of 1918 and lasted until March of 1920. Some 6,000 British troops and another 6,000-10,000 allied troops participated in the north Russia campaign. Around 600 were killed in action.
This is a fascinating story and one that deserves more attention. This is a good start, a well written popular account of the conflict.
Seth J. Frantzman
›
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4.2 out of 5 stars
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